DISTRIBUTED TRANSFORMER

• US 20190328949A1
• Filed: 07/08/2019
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
• Inventors: Bluvshtein, Vlad, Lucke, Lori
• Granted Patent: US 11,207,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/274 the inlet and outlet being the same, e.g. para-aortic counter-pulsation blood pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/875 specially adapted for optimising alignment of external and implantable coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Disclosed is a distributed transformer or extension cord component for a transcutaneous energy transfer system used to transfer electric power to an implanted medical device. The extension cord component may enable power transfer to occur at various points on or near the body of the subject within whom the medical device is implanted. In this way, the subject may gain greater flexibility and high levels of convenience in connection with use of the transcutaneous energy transfer system.

Claims

1. A distributed transformer of a transcutaneous energy transmission device, the distributed transformer comprising

a first transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding associated with a power supply, the first transformer configured to transfer power from the primary winding to the secondary winding across a first boundary that includes at least the skin of the subject;

a second transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding associated with a medical device implanted within a subject, the second transformer configured to transfer power from the primary winding to the secondary winding across a second boundary; and

a cord that connects the secondary winding of the first transformer to the primary winding of the second transformer.

2. The distributed transformer of claim 1, wherein the medical device is a mechanical circulatory device.

3. The distributed transformer of claim 1, wherein the cord includes at least one capacitor connected between the secondary winding of the first transformer and the primary winding of the second transformer.

4. The distributed transformer of claim 1, wherein the first transformer is configured for a fixed implant location within the subject and wherein the second transformer is configured for any shape or size, any location, and any orientation or combination thereof.

5. The distributed transformer of claim 1, wherein the second boundary includes a portion of an implanted medical device.

6. A distributed transformer device, the distributed transformer device comprising

a secondary winding of a first transformer, wherein the secondary winding is configured to receive power transferred from a primary winding of the first transformer across a first boundary that includes skin of a subject;

a primary winding of a second transformer;

a secondary winding of the second transformer coupled to an implanted device within a subject, the second transformer configured to transfer power from the primary winding to the secondary winding across a second boundary; and

a cord that electrically connects the secondary winding of the first transformer to the primary winding of the second transformer.

7. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, further comprising a sealed package configured to house the implanted device and the secondary winding of the second transformer.

8. The distributed transformer device of claim 7, further comprising a header attachment attached to the cord and configured to house the primary winding of the second transformer.

9. The distributed transformer device of claim 7, wherein the second boundary includes a portion of the sealed package.

10. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, wherein the first transformer is configured for a fixed implant location within the subject and wherein the second transformer is configured for any implant location within the subject.

11. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, wherein the cord includes a capacitor connected between the secondary winding of the first transformer and the primary winding of the second transformer.

12. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, wherein the cord is configured to allow physical separation between a first location within the subject corresponding to the secondary winding of the first transformer and a second location within the subject corresponding to the primary winding of the second transformer

13. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, further comprising the primary winding of the first transformer.

14. The distributed transformer device of claim 13, further comprising a power supply coupled to the primary winding of the first transformer.

15. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, wherein the medical device includes a ventricle-assist device.

16. The distributed transformer device of claim 6, wherein the medical device includes an artificial heart.